The State Of The Campaign

The Labor Day holiday traditionally marks the period when political campaigns kick into high gear. Summer vacations are over, kids are back in school and voters really start tuning in to the candidates.

With that in mind, here's a brief update of where things stand in the 2016 campaign:
 

• We are 62 days away from Election Day -- Tuesday, November 8th.
   
• The first nationally televised presidential debate will be held just 19 days from now -- on Monday, September 26th. It will take place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
   
• Voter registration deadlines in many states are fast approaching. Are you registered to vote? How about your friends and family members? You can't vote unless you are registered. Register today.
   
• Looking at the polls, Hillary Clinton enjoys a slight advantage, but the race is essentially a dead heat. One month ago, Hillary Clinton led Donald Trump by an average of seven points. Today, her average lead is just two points.

  In seven of the last eight national polls, the candidates were within the polls' margin of error. Donald Trump leads in two polls, Trump and Clinton are tied in one, and Clinton holds small leads in the remaining surveys. In short, the presidential election could easily go either way.

  America's Missing Men

  One issue that is a major topic of debate in the campaign is the economy. While there are some bright spots, wages are largely stagnant. And one segment of society in particular is really struggling -- men.

  I know this goes against the politically correct dogma, which presents men, and especially white men, as privileged oppressors. But according to a recent report from the president's Council of Economic Advisers, ten million prime working aged men (25 - 54 years old) are missing from the workforce.

  Economist Nicholas Eberstad told NPR, "One in six prime-age guys has no job; it's kind of worse than it was in the Depression in 1940."

  Nearly 84% of these men have been unemployed for more than a year. As a result, they are considered "out of the workforce," and no longer counted in the official 4.9% unemployment rate.

  This Coach Gets It

  Kudos to Coach John Tortorella of the Columbus Blue Jackets. (For those of you who aren't NHL fans, that's hockey.)

  Tortorella is leading Team USA at the World Cup this month. Asked by ESPN whether he would tolerate his players following Colin Kaepernick's lead by disrespecting our country, Tortorella responded, "If any of my players sit on the bench for the National Anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game."

  That's exactly how the 49ers and the National Football League should have handled Kaepernick!

  But they may have bigger problems on their hands. The Santa Clara Police Officer's Association, which provides security to the 49ers during games at Levi's Stadium, warned recently that its officers may boycott the games.

  In a letter to Jed York, CEO of the 49ers, the SCPOA stated that Kaepernick's actions and comments were "insulting" and "inflammatory," and contributed to a hostile work environment for the 70 officers who regularly provide security at the stadium. The letter also blasted York for failing to "address your employee's inappropriate workplace behavior."

  Left-wing Fascism

  As some of you may know, the left celebrated Phyllis Schlafly's death. Go online and you can read all kinds of disgusting comments about this great lady. The day after her death, Eagle Forum's office, the organization Schlafly founded, was vandalized and spray painted with disgusting epithets.

  Just another example of the hatred on the left. Just another example of what conservatives in California experienced after voters upheld the normal meaning of marriage or what conservative attendees at recent fundraisers and politically rallies have experienced.

  Yes, there is fascism in America, but it is coming from the left.